Baby P childrens' care chief sacked

By Tim Castle

LONDON (Reuters) - The head of children's services and two councillors in the north London borough where Baby P died lost their jobs on Monday following a "devastating" inspectors' report into the case.

Children's Secretary Ed Balls said he was taking immediate action to replace the management of Haringey Council children's services.

"Overall, the inspectors' findings are, I have to say, devastating," he told a news conference. "Their report delivers a damning verdict on the current management of (children's) safeguarding in Haringey."

The inspectors said they had found a number of "serious concerns" about the safeguarding of children in the borough.

"The contribution of local services to improving outcomes for children and young people at risk or requiring safeguarding is inadequate and needs urgent and sustained attention," they said.

Balls said he was greatly worried that the inspectors had found "little evidence" of management follow-up to ensure that children suspected of being abused were properly heard and able to speak up without fear.

He said Sharon Shoesmith, head of children's services at Haringey Council, had been fired with immediate effect.

Haringey Council leader George Meehan and Liz Santry, the cabinet member for children and young people, both resigned shortly before Balls' announcement.